AJK presents Rs 62 billion state’s budget

MUZAFFARABAD – Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) budget with a total outlay of 62 billion rupees was presented in the Legislative Assembly here on Friday.

Presenting the budget, Finance Minister Latif Akbar said that 10.50 billion rupees have been allocated for the development and 51.50 billion rupees for non-development expenditures. About 10 percent raise has been given to employees and pensioners in the budget.

The budget proposed allocation of Rs850 million for local government and rural health while Rs330 million have been proposed for physical planning and housing. Rs550 million have been proposed for electricity, Rs680 million for hydal power, Rs400 million for education and Rs820 million for educational development.

The budget proposes Rs50 million for the construction of hospitals and basic health centres, Rs24.6 million for environment, Rs115 million for tourism and Rs48 million for transport. Meanwhile, Rs20 million have been proposed for special children, Rs15 million for social welfare and women development while Rs155 million have been proposed for sports, culture and youth affairs and Rs110 million have been allocated for settlement of refugees.

The budget document set target of raising Rs14 billion through internal resources of the state and Rs12 billion through Kashmir Council income. Target of completion of 187 projects has been proposed during the new fiscal year. Around 300 laptops would be distributed among students of Azad Kashmir under the Prime Minister of Pakistan's scheme.